“A garden suburb.” That’s what they call Bradbury. Today we will explore the captivating story of Bradbury. It is a suburb in Sydney. Bradbury is located 54 kilometers southwest of Sydney’s central business district.
Bradbury’s story begins long ago. The area was originally home to the Dharawal people. They lived off the land for thousands of years. European colonization dramatically changed their way of life.
In the 1820s, William Bradbury, a local innkeeper, became a prominent figure. He owned a large farm south of Campbelltown. William Bradbury was known for enjoying a drink. Some say he was drunk more often than not. There is even a story about people betting on how long it would take him to realize his watch was missing after he passed out.
Despite his drinking habits, William Bradbury was well-regarded. Governor Lachlan Macquarie even stayed at Bradbury’s property in 1822. Macquarie named it Bradbury Park. William Bradbury died in 1836. His estate was later subdivided.
For many years, Bradbury remained mostly cow paddocks. A few farms dotted the landscape. One notable property was Raith. It was built in 1903.
The suburb’s transformation began in the mid-20th century. Campbelltown was selected as a growth center after the war. Lend Lease Corporation developed Sherwood Hills in 1965. It became a model estate. Sherwood Hills featured underground power lines and controlled building quality.
The new homes replaced dairy farms. Despite development, open space was preserved. The large park was initially known as Fisher’s Ghost Creek Reserve. In 1965, it was renamed Bradbury Park. An Olympic swimming pool opened there two years later.
In 1969, the suburb was officially named Bradbury. The name quickly spread. It was soon used for the local primary school and shopping center. Some residents preferred the name Sherwood Hills. However, Bradbury was chosen to represent a larger area with historical significance.
The streets of Bradbury tell their own stories. Some streets are named after trees. Examples are Bottlebrush Avenue and Jacaranda Avenue. Other streets honor figures from Australia’s colonial past. They include Caley Street and Macleay Street. Still other streets have Aboriginal names, like Dewrang Avenue.
Bradbury has several ovals. They support the local Rugby League team, Campbelltown Collegians. They also support the cricket team, Bradbury.
Today, Bradbury stands as a testament to its rich history. It blends its rural past with modern suburban living. As we leave Bradbury, remember the innkeeper William Bradbury. Remember also the Dharawal people. Think about their legacy.